Formula 18 Golf

Formula 18 Golf

Courses / Best in state

Best Public Golf Courses in Iowa

Experts + Golfers + Story + Architect + Challenge + Access = the Total Score

Top 10
  1. 1Blue Top RidgeRiverside · Public · Est. 2007Rees Jones (with Bryce Swanson)UnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  2. 2Veenker Memorial Golf CourseAmes · Public · Est. 1938Perry MaxwellUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  3. 3Spirit Hollow Golf CoursePublic · Est. 2000Rick JacobsonUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  4. 4Amana Colonies Golf ClubAmana · Public · Est. 1989William J. SpearUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  5. 5The Harvester ClubHarvester · Public · Est. 2000Keith FosterUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  6. 6Legacy Golf ClubNorwalk · Public · Est. 2002Jeffrey D. Brauer (Golfscapes)UnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  7. 7Blank Park Golf CourseDes Moines · Municipal · Est. 1971E. Lawrence PackardUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  8. 8Finkbine Golf CourseIowa City · University · Est. 1924Robert Bruce Harris (current layout, 1955); original 1924 course by Tom BendelowUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  9. 9Waveland Golf CourseDes Moines · Municipal · Est. 1901Warren DickinsonUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  10. 10Beaver Creek Golf ClubJohnston · Public · Est. 1991Jerry ReibleUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.

How we rank

Public courses only — anyone can book a tee time (public, municipal, resort, semi-private, university). Each course gets a Formula 18 Golf Total Score out of 10 with one word (Legendary, Destination, Memorable, Playable, Unsolved), cited on its page. Not enough to go on yet? It reads Uncharted. Expert lists, golfer stars, challenge, access and threads make the score. A notable architect and a real story add bonus points, and missing ones never count against a course. See the full formula →
Editor’s picks are placed by the Formula 18 Golf team. Played one that belongs higher? Tell us.